ENGLISH
REFERENCE

flexible

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈfɫɛksəbəɫ// UK //flˈɛksɪbəl// flex·i·ble Academic General-service

adj. able to bend easily without breaking, or able to change plans and ideas to fit new situations. You use this for materials like rubber or for people who are happy to change their schedule.

adj. capable of bending or being flexed without breaking; metaphorically, adaptable to changing circumstances or requirements. Often used to describe physical properties in engineering or scheduling and policy in professional contexts.


SIMPLE

The new plastic is very flexible and strong.

CONTEXTUAL

My boss is quite flexible about my working hours as long as I finish my projects on time.

COMPLEX

Engineers selected a flexible composite material for the bridge joints to accommodate thermal expansion and seismic shifts without risking structural failure.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle French flexible, from Latin flexibilis, from flectō (“to bend, curve”). Morphologically flex + -ible.

Usage

Typically precedes the noun it modifies or follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'remain'.

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